Aluminum scandium alloy

ABSTRACT

Aluminum and aluminum alloys of varying binary, ternary and multicomponent types having from 0.01 to about 5.0 percent by weight of scandium characterized by improved physical properties and methods of thermally treating the same.

United States Patent inventor Appl. No.

Lowell A. Willey Lower Burrell. Pa.

Oct. 29, 1968 Nov. 9, l 97 1 Aluminum Company of America Pittsburgh, Pa.

Continuation-impart oi application Ser. No. 474,470, July 23, 1965, nowabandoned.

ALUMINUM SCANDIUM ALLOY 35 Claims, No Drawings US. Cl

Int. Cl

[50] FieldoiSearch 148/1217.

Primary ExaminerL. Dewayne Rutledge Assislan! Examiner-W. W. StallardAllurneys-Rohert E. lsncr. Albert (1 Johnston. Lewis H.

Esiinger and Alvin Sinderbrand ABSTRACT: Aluminum and aluminum alloys ofvarying binary, ternary and multicomponent types having from 0.01 toabout 5.0 percent by weight of scandium characterized by improvedphysical properties and methods ot'thermaily treating the same.

ALUMINUM SCANDIUM ALLOY This application is a continuation-in-part of myearlier filed application Ser. No. 474,470, filed July 23, 1965, and nowabandoned.

The methods and alloys to which the inventions disclosed herein relateare basically predicated on my discovery that very small amounts ofscandium when added to aluminum, and aluminum alloys as herein laterdefined, produce unusually useful effects of considerable relativemagnitude as to the physical properties of the thus formed alloysparticularly, in some instances, if the addition of the scandium iscoupled with the use of certain thermal treatments hereinafterdescribed. In other aspects of the invention these small amounts ofscandium also, I have found, substantially and favorably affect therecrystallization temperature of aluminum and of the aluminum alloysherein defined.

The objects of the inventions, which are reflected in the abovestatement of the general nature of the inventions, are more specificallystated in the following discussion thereof.

The amount of scandium contemplated by the inventions as added to, inthe case of the method, or as present in aluminum or aluminum alloy isabout 0.01 to about 1.0 percent by weight of scandium of the totalalloy, although the utilization of greater amounts as, for example, 1.5to 5.0 percent, while perhaps not effecting a further enhancement of thecharacter of the product also does result in the improved physicalproperties obtained according to the invention. in the preferreddevelopment of the advantages and results of the inventions amounts ofscandium of about 0.1 to about 0.8 percent by weight of the total alloysare used. For maximum results, particularly as to beneficiation ofphysical properties, I employ scandium in amounts of about 0.2 to about0.6 percent by weight of the total alloy.

The aluminum to which reference is herein made is relatively purealuminum, about 98.5 percent by weight or more of aluminum, such as isproduced by the known electrolytic processes by which aluminum is wonfrom its ores. The aluminum alloys to which reference is here made arethose containing about 85 percent or more by weight of this aluminum andone or more alloying elements that are not subversive of the improvedeffects produced by the scandium addition. Among such suitable alloyingelements are at least one element selected from the group of essentiallycharacter forming alloying elements and consisting of manganese zinc,beryllium, lithium, copper and magnesium. 1 term these alloying elementsas essentially character forming for the reason that the contemplatedalloys containing one or more of them essentially derive theircharacteristic properties from such elements. Usually the amounts ofeach of the elements which impart such characteristics are, as to eachof magnesium, copper and zinc about 0.5 to about percent by weight ofthe total alloy if the element be present as an alloying element in thealloy, as to the element beryllium about 0.001 to about 5.0 percent ofthe total alloy if such element be present as an alloying element, as tothe element lithium about 0.2 to about 3.0 percent of the total alloy ifsuch element be present as an alloying element, and, as to the elementmanganese, if it be present as an alloying element, usually about 0.15to about 2.0 percent of the total alloy.

The elements iron and silicon, while perhaps not entirely or alwaysaccurately classifiable as essentially character forming alloyingelements are often present in aluminum alloy in appreciable quantitiesand can have a marked effect upon the derived characteristic propertiesof certain alloys containing the same. Iron, for example, which if oftenpresent and considered as an undesired impurity, is oftentimes desirablypresent and adjusted in amounts of about 0.3 to 2.0 percent by weight ofthe total alloy to perform specific functions. Silicon may also be soconsidered and while found in range varying from about 0.25 to as muchas percent is more often desirably found in the range of about 0.3 to1.5 percent to perform specific functions. in light of the foregoingdual nature of these elements and for convenience of definition, theelements iron and silicon may, at least when desirably present incharacter affecting amounts in certain alloys, be properly alsoconsidered as character forming alloying ingredients.

Such aluminum and aluminum alloys, which may contain one or more ofthese essential character forming elements, may contain, either with orwithout the aforementioned character forming elements, quantities ofcertain well known ancillary alloying elements for the purpose ofenhancing particular properties. Such ancillary elements are usuallychromium, nickel, zirconium, vanadium, titanium, boron, lead, cadmium,bismuth, and occasionally, silicon and iron. Also, while lithium islisted above as an essential character forming element, it may in someinstances occur in an alloy as an ancillary element in an amount withinthe range outlined above. When one of these ancillary elements ispresent in the aluminum alloy of the type herein contemplated theamount, in terms of percent by weight of the total alloy, varies withthe element in question but is usually about as follows: nickel about0.5 to 2.5 percent, chromium about 0.05 to 0.4 percent, titanium about0.01 to 0.15 percent, vanadium or zirconium about 0.05 to 0.25 percent,boron about 0.0002 to 0.04 percent, cadmium about 0.05 to 0.5 percent,and bismuth or lead about 0.4 to 0.7 percent.

While 1 have referred to the possibility of the aluminum and aluminumalloys of my invention which contain scandium as also containing certaincharacter-forming elements and certain ancillary elements, in someinstances according to my invention, they need not contain either one ormore characterforming elements or one or more ancillary elements.Likewise the scandium-containing aluminum and aluminum alloys of myinvention may contain one or more ancillary elements without one or morecharacter-forming elements or one or more character-forming elementswithout one or more ancillary elements, the content of 0.01 to 5.0percent by weight scandium to give the improved tensile and yieldstrength being essential in all instances.

The subject aluminum base alloys may, in addition to the essentialcharacter-forming elements, and/or the ancillary elements above named,also contain incidental elements such as small amounts of any of theelements above named but such elements are usually those resulting asresiduals from the aluminum smelting process. Iron and silicon, forexample, when not present in the appreciable amounts set forth above andin alloys wherein they effect the characteristics thereof as set forthabove, often are included in such residuals and, in total, usuallyrepresent the bulk thereof. Residual elements are regularly present insome amounts in the aluminum or the aluminum base alloys, thebeneficiation of which is contemplated by this invention.

Representative aluminum and aluminum alloys to which scandium may beadded according to my invention as identified by The AluminumAssociation are 7075, 7079, 7178, 7005, 7039, 6061, 6351, 6161, 6063,5005, 5050,5052, 5083, 5454, 5456, 3003, 3005, 2014, 2017, 2618, 2219,2020 and 2024. I

The addition of the above-mentioned small amounts of scandium toaluminum, and to aluminum base alloy of the type above defined,increases substantially the tensile strength, yield strength, and oftenthe elongation of the resultant metal as compared to the same aluminum,or aluminum alloy, to which such scandium has not been added. Forinstance to a 99.998 percent pure aluminum, the balance being 0.001percent of copper and 0.001 percent silicon, was added small amounts ofscandium. The resultant alloys were cast in ingot form and cold rolledto a reduction of 89 percent. The results were as set forth in thefollowing table 1.

lli 17.8 4 0.10 19.7 18.3 4 0.20 20.7 19.5 4 0.29 21.9 20.6 5 (1.49 29.226.I 5 0.911 27.2 24.4 9

Similar effects are observed when a 99.903 percent pure alu minum, thebalance being 0.054 percent of iron and 0.043 percent of silicon, isalloyed with 1 percent by weight of manganese and small amounts ofscandium, cast in ingot form and then cold rolled to an 89 percentreduction. The beneficial results of the presence of scandium on thephysical properties is as shown below:

TABLE 11 Tensile Yield Percent by weight strength, strength,

thousands thousands Percent of pounds of pounds elongation SeandiumManganese pcrsq. in. per sq. in. in 1 lllt'll t). 05 1.0 29. 1 1 t). 1.0 .221. 8 .i 0. 50 1.0 33. .1 5 0.80 1.0 37. 4 6

(1:111 rolled and rein-ato l lwlwt-l-n rolling opt-rations for a totaltinn- 01211 11111111105111 313 Fifty perm-n1illllllt'tllt1l'ltlllt'lltlll.

Hot and t'tll'l rolled. l'rl-ln-atwl 1 hour at 2: ltr-ln-atml lu-twt'l-nrnlli|u operations for -10 minutes :u 300' t'. Filly pt-rt'vnt linalt-oltl nluvtinn.

Hot and t-old rollt-ll. l'rt-lu-utt-d 15 minute at 313" t'. lit-heatedhet\\'een rolling operations for n total of .0 minutes nt 313 Thirtysixpercent final ('Ultl reduction.

6 Hot and t'tlltl rolled to .032 with l'vllt'uls during hot rolling of15 It- 15 minutes at 260 Final ('0111 reduction 75",.

(oltl rolled to .032 lllt'll with 10 1111111111 rt-ln-nl at Lt'vtl" at.125 lllt'll.

Hut and cold rolled to inch with preheat and reheat tlurim: hot rollingtotalling minutes -60 linzil cold n-thn-tion T5'.;.

(01d rolled to 0.125 incl]. lltilll' l 15 minutes at 200 t. and 00111rulle l to 0.03; inch.

Tensile strength, thousands of pounds per sq. in.

Percent by weight Yield strength, thousands of pounds per sq llltll 01scandium (1) (3 (3) (4) (5) (6) (7 (1) (3) (4) (5) (0) 1T) (1.11 10. 27. 1 5. 1 4.11 8.1! 2. 1 2. 2 l8. 3 .2. 1 1. ti 1.1 5. 5 6.5 11). l (1.85.2 5. t) 7.11 3.1 .'.1 18.2 2. t) 1.5 1.3 ti." (1.7 20.1 10.11 5.5 5.38.8 3.1 2.0 18.4 'J.-l 1.11 1.4 6. 8 20. 1 13. 5 5. 3 5. 3 11. 2 2. 7 3.it 18. 4 l3. 4 2 t] 1. ti 10. .l

15. 6 '21. 0 21. 5 5. 4 10. 5 15.9 3. 1 l0. .2 10. T 20.1 L. ti. 8 14.t) 26. 8 20. 3 30. 2 6. 4 22. 8 8 3. 2 23. 1 111. ll 28. T L. l 21. 325. t) 31. J 24. 4 38. 3 7. 8 28. 9 37. 3 5. 2 28. ll 23. 0 34. 8 2.033. 9 31.1! 24. 0 24. 6 26. 6 13. O 27. 8 34. 3 8. 8 13. 5 21.51 23. 6-l. 3 26. 7 31.1 24. 0 26. 3 28.1 11. 6 30. 1 36. 7 8. 9 13. 2 22.1 21.23. 7 27.1! 35. 3 23. 4 26. 0 .58. 0 11. 7 31. 2 3G. 9 1.0 12. (1 21. 421. 2 4. 1 2S. 4 311. ll

NOTES.(1) As cast. (2) As cast; aged 8 hours at 288 C. (3) As cats; coldrolled (80% 30 min. at 649 C., CWQ. (6) Cold rolled: heat treated 30min. Cold rolled; heat treated 30 min. at 640 C., CWQ, cold rolled (507,

288 C. (5) Cold rolled; heat treated at 288 C. (7

1n the case of other aluminum alloys of the type above defined theeffects are similar. In Table IV below is illustrated a number ofaluminum base alloys, with and without scandium in the indicated amountsin the range of from 0.2 to 0.4 percent. In each case the aluminum ofthe alloy is of at least the purity mentioned above in respect of thealloys of Table 11. In each case the essential character forming orancillary alloying elements are set forth in percent by weight of thetotal alloys.

TABLE IV Tensile Yield strength, strength, Percent thousands thousandselongalcrcent of essential lcrcent 01' of pounds of pounds tlon inalloying elements scandium per sq. in. per sq. in. 1 inch 3.0% copper 147. 4 43. 8 4 D0. 0. 3 53. 0 48. G 4 1.0% silicon 23.0 21. 1 ti 0, 0. 336. 7 33. 2 7 1.0% magnesium 32. 5 30. t) 4 Do. 0. 3 34. El 32. t) 45.25% magnesium 52. (l 47. 3 4 3 0. 3 59. 7 54. 5 t1 53. 6 48. 0 3 t1. 376. 5 68. 8 6 7.0% zinc Z 24. 8 22. 8 (1 D01 0. 3 42. 0 40. .5 0 0.1%beryllium 25. 5 23. t) 5 Do. 0. 3 30. 7 2t). 1 4 2.0% magnesium,

4.0% zinc 4 51. 7 45.11 5 D0. ll. 3 5!). 1 56 6 2 1% magnesium, 1%

manganese l 42. 3 40. 4 3 D01. 0.3 45.3 43.0 4

reduction). (4) Cold rolled, aged 8 hours at at 640 C., CWQ, aged 5hours reduction), aged 8 hours at 288 C.

it will be noted, in the case of each of the above alloys in table 1V,that the presence of as little as 0.2 to 0.4 percent by weight ofscandium caused tensile strengths and yield strengths to increase fromabout 6 percent to as much as 50 percent and the general effectpersisted regardless of whether preheating or reheating treatments wereapplied during the cold rolling operation.

The addition of the small amounts of scandium to aluminum, and aluminumalloy, often benefit the physical properties of the aluminum or alloy toan even greater extent if the alloy is cold worked and thereaftersubjected to an aging treatment under selected conditions of temperatureand duration. More specifically, the subjection of age hardenable alloysto selective aging treatments appears to produce an enhanced benefit inphysical properties when scandium, in the amounts herein disclosed, hasbeen added thereto. Such age hardening treatment may be of a single ormultistep character, may utilized temperatures as low as C. up to ashigh as 425 C. and for preferred time periods of from one-fourth hour to50 hours, but with periods of from 6 to 18 hours proving satisfactory inmost instances. When multistep aging is used, the second step or latersteps are at higher temperatures than the first, the time for each stageusually being from about onefourth hour to 25 hours. Appreciableenhancement of the physical properties are usually obtained even ifpreheating or reheating operations, such as are often employed tofacilitate cold working, are applied and which generally operate todiminish somewhat the effect of the aging treatment as to tensilestrength. Thus, where practical considerations of fabrication do notrequire preheating of the ingot, or substantial reheating during coldworking. the aging effect is very substantial. otherwise it is usefulparticularly where increases in elongation are of importance. What issaid immediately above is generally illustrated in the following tableV, where is shown the effect of aging after cold working of aluminum andof various aluminum alloys as herein defined. Where reheating during hotor cold working or where preheating of the ingot has been employed thenature of the heating is indicated in a footnote. In each case. however,the metal was aged after cold rolling. the aging taking place in asingle step at a temperature ofabout 285290C. for about 8 hours.

10 each case the cold worked metal. after having been given theindicated heat treatment for 30 minutes and then quenched in cold waterwas aged for 8 hours at about 285-29() C.

TABLE Tensile strength. Yield strength.

thousands of thousands of lereent pounds per pounds per elongationPercent by sq. in. sq. in. in one inch we=ght 01 Percent by essentialalloying weight of Before Alter liefore Alter lieforr After elementsseandium aging aging aging aging aging aging None, aluminum only 8. 17.i 2.1 t 30 D01... 29.1 10.5 35.0 -t 10 1.)0. 34. 0 20.6 20. K 8 Do. -12.6 26.1 311.1 5 11 D0. 33. 0 2 -l .1 'J 121 1% manganese 32. 1 7 31.3 :iT. 5 Do. 46.0 32.5 11.5 T 0.75% manganese,

0.25% chromium. 21.7 27. 2 i 5 l)o. 41.1 30.6 5 7 16. l 30. 0 l 1. 13. 132. 0 4 it 37. o 17. I! i 23 58. 1 51. 5 ii 12 14. 1 22. t t; 33 30. J40. 3 6 E1 14. 7 10. 0 3 ll 66. I 68. 8 6 T 42. 3 35. 2 40. i 31. 0 3 h45. 3 48. ii 43. 0 46. 4 4 6 23. 4 13. 1 20. 3 1). 4 5 l l 26. 5 36. t)24. 0 31. .2 4 8 .23. 0 12.3 21. 1 4. 7 t 36 86. 7 3i. 7 33. 2 28. 8 7 80.7% magncsitn 1% silicon 24. 7 12.7 23. o 4. 8 5 3t l)o. 42. 5 3!). 240. 8 36. 8 5 it 47. 4 .20 1 43. it 0. 2 -1 21 53.6 43 3 48. (i 41, 3 l6 0.75"/, nnniganese,

2.75 magnesium 56. 5 46. 5 51. 0 110. 4 '5. 0 11 Do." g 0.25 01. 4 50 056.1 53. 8 5 0 0.75 manganese,

5.25 magnesium. 72. 1 57 0 63.3 46 3 H 4 l)o. 74.7 G6 2 6-1.5 57 1 T 21.6 magnesium.

21110.. 43. 7 33. 4 40 17. 6 7 10 D04-" 0 35 50. s 47. 2 4b a 44. 2 0 x1.5% magnesium,"

2.3% copper 52. 4 30. 1 2-1. 5 i 11 l) 0. 30 55. 5 48. 1 46. 0 1 i3 .7%magnesium,

11% silicon. 40. 1 21. 4 15. 5 7 13 no. 46. 8 10. 3 37.11 0 71.0%1nagnesi ni,'" .67. 43. 0 27. 6 23. h 5 10 si icon.

Do." 0. .20 47. I 30. 0 3G. 2 6 T 0.5% iron, 1.0% nickel 20.1 16. 1 S. 54 20 l)o. 0.40 33.0 41.4 351.1 5 .t 0.1% beryllium 25.5 1.3 2 6. 7 5 23Do. l) 3 30. 7 38 ii 37. b -l 7 1 Cold rolled to 80% reduction.

? Cold rolled. Rchentcd between rolling operations for a total timeof20minntes at 313 Fifty percent final cold reduction.

Hot and cold rolled. lreheatmll hour at 288 C. Rebeatcd between rollingoperations fol 10 minutes at 200 C. Fifty percent final cold reduction.

4 Hot. and cold rolled. l'reheaied minutesat 313 (3. lteheatcd betweenrolling operations for a total of minutes at 313 Fifty percent finalcoltl reduction.

5 Hot and Cold rolled. lttho ed 15 minutes at 313 (I. ltchentod betweenrolling opera- Seventy livc percent linal cold reduction.

7 Hot and cold rolled. lreheated 16 hours at 127 (7. Hot rolled to 0.121inch, annealed one hour at 371 and cold rolled to 0.010 inch.

3 Cold rolled. Reheat for 10 minutes at 200 (1. at. 0.125 inch. Seventyfive percent final cold reduction.

llot and cold rolled. ltehcat and reheat during hot rolling totaling '15minutes at 260 Seventy five percent linul cold reduction.

" Cold rolled lehcnt for 15 minutes at 260 at 0.125 inch. Seventy livepercent llnnl cold reduction.

'lAliLli \l TlIlSllt' Yit-ld i'll'lllll 'lvntpt-t- 51 TOWN l1. .sl r-ngl h, ll-rwnl by weight :lllll'l of thousands thousand 010111!- 01lunt ll'llllof pounds of pounds lion 1n sl'nn lilnn nnnt. l. per sq. in.pm sq. in. lllll l1 1' coppt 1 501) 35.1 21. 7 J 110 5110 -11." Jill, -ll.! 1113'}. 1'1'011 [H 10. 1 .I 33 [)n. I), 13 (H0 31.0 .ll 1') l,','silicon 500 17.5 .1. 11 D0. (L3 591) 20. l 22 l',','. nlanunnvsv. 63012. 7 .2 31 1) 631' 30. 5 7 I0 615 10. T .i :0 G15 37. 1 7 Ill 1127 21.0 :1 2'. 627 35. ii is. a 13 627 .11. b 1 l. 7 Do (l. 3 627 .7. I- ll..3 15 None. 00 0 15",; aluminum. 643-651 5 7 1.7 :11 D0 643-1350 31. T3. 5 .3"; manmnnv. .11 '1. 0 3'2.

1) .0 37.5 11... 6.75); inant'nncsv,

ma nesium .0 15. 6 Do. 4 31. 2 11 Do. .2 13. 1 J2 l)o .4: .4 11. 1.67,magnum .'.I .s T l)() .5 11 1.5-}; nni znt-silnn ,7 10 l n :10. 0 1 .7,maunl' iinn, 1-1.1 11 l I. ll. 5 1'. T 11. 5 l6 1 23. ll 1?, .13 5. Ii33 H 5 R, l 5 27. 10

00.00%; pure aluminum plus I llcntod for fifteen minutes TABLE \'ll'lypc 'll'nsilv Yil-ld Percent of heat sln-npth. strength.liOlllri'nlnn-nt Percent by thousands thousands gallon Percent by weightof essential and cold Weight of Aging 1011111., 01' pounds of pounds inOil! alloying clement rolling scandium (.li1nc,ln's. per sq. in 111-1sq. in. inch 0.75 manganese, 2.75

magnesium. 36. h 26 8 12 12.5 33.7 11.21 -l1. 0 36. (i (i. .2 18. 4 43..2 5. (l 31.11 15.0 .10. 5 36.3 22.3 113.5 31. 2 23. 0 13. 8 13.7 34.010.5 0.75 manganese, 25

magnesium. 11. '1 22. 3 23. 2 D0 v 411.0 28. 4 ll. 3 1.0% magm m, 4.4%Zl11('.. (5) 107/8 50. 3 45. 0 0. 5

and 140/10 D0 (5) 0. 107/8 57. 0 52.11 0

and 1411/16 0.;,% manganese, 2.5% copper... (6) 216/16 34. 2 23.2 s. 5 D(6) 0 25 216/16 42. 2 3-1.0 8. 5 1.5% magnesium. 2.3% copper... (7)204/16 50. is 4!). s 5. 5 (7) 0.15 204/16 61.0 54. 0 5. 8 0.7%magnesium, 0.4% silicon. (8) 177/4 and 288/8 .4 14. 2 13, 0 0. 25 177/4and 288/8 31. .2 24. 4 13. 0 1.0% magnesium, .6 silicon. (3) 177/4 and288/8 31. 8 11.3 18. Do (3) 0. 177/4u11d 288/8 21.x 23.3 13.0 2.5%copper, 1.5% lithium (l l 204/16 55. 7 15. 0 5. 5 Do (1 0 5 204/115 58.347.4 6.2 I) (l 160/16 49.6 34.0 10.5 Do (ll) 0 15 160/113 52.8 32.4 13.2 Norm:

(1) 30 minutes at 593 (3., CWQ, cold rolled 20%.

30 minutes at 593 C., CWQ, cold rolled 20% before and after aging.

30 minutes at 593 (1., CWQ.

30 minutes at 560 (3., CWQ.

30 minutes at 593 (2., CWQ, aged 4 days at room temperature. 20 minutesat 593 (7., CWQ, cold rolled 8%.

30 minutes at 552 (1., CWQ, cold rolled 8%.

30 minutes zit-500 (3., CWQ, cold rolled 8%.

In each ofthe comparative instances set forth above, heat treatablealloys of both binary and ternary types, exclusive of the scandiumaddition, were essentially uniformly subjected to single step aging foran 8 hour period and at temperatures in the range of 285-290 C.,independent of the nature of the heat treatment involved. However, asnoted earlier, the benefits flowing from the inclusion of scandium inaluminum and aluminum base alloys are not limited to the above describedaging procedures but rather are obtainable over a relatively broad rangeof aging temperatures and periods.

30mi11utos at 538 0., CWQ, alloy also contains 1.0% Fe. 1.0% Ni and 330%Cd.

Likewise such benefits are obtained when further cold reduction isintroduced intermediate the heat treatment and the aging operations.Instances of the above are presented in the following table Vll both inrespect to previously mentioned al- The scandium-containing aluminum ofmy invention also exhibits improved physical properties, especiallytensile and yield strengths, upon exposure to elevated temperatures forprolonged periods, viz., upon exposure for L000 hours or longer periodsat 149 C. or higher temperature. table Vlll, which follows demonstratesthis improvement.

TABLE Vlll.IEl\'hlLE PROPERTIES AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES Tensile Yieldstrength, strength, thousands of thousands of Percent pounds per poundsper elongation sq. in. sq. in. in 1 inch Essential alloying elements(percent by weight). None, 00.99+% aluminum only 2 Percent scandium.0.00 0.30 0.00 0.30 0.00 0.30

7.1 38. 3 2.1 34. ii 27 Ii 3. 1 22.1 1. 5 10. 32 18 2.4 16.0 1.8 3717 1. 8 11. 0.8 8. l 44 0 Essential alloying elements (percent byweight). 1"},- manganese, 19;- inagncsium 2 Percent scandium 0.00 0. 300.00 0.30 0.00 0.30

35. 2 48. 8 40. 4 8 6 20. 8 30. 0 30. 3 ll 26.1 30.1 23. J 10 15 17.418.0 13.4 12 21 Essential alloying elements (percent by weight). 0.75%manganese,

2.15% magnesium 1 Percent scandium 0. 00 0. 25 0. 00 O. 25 0. O0 0. 25

46.5 511.0 30. 4 53. s 14 1| i 38. .1 43. b 34. I 45.0 13 12 32. J 35. 728. 5 20. 3 22 22 10. 4 l0. 5 l3. 4 12. 2 30 Essential alloying elements(percent by weight). 3% copper, 0.3% manganese 4 Percent scandium O. 000. 20 0 00 0. 20 0. 00 0. 20

Temp. C.:

24 37. 1 45. 4 26. 0 36. 4 8 8 149 30. 4 36. 4 22. 6 31. 0 11 10 204 22.5 30. 7 l7. 4 27. 1 ll 11 260 17. 0 24. 0 14. 0 20. 4 J 12 Essentialalloying elements (percent by weight). 3% copper, 0.3%

v manganese, 0.1% vanadium, 0.15% zirconium Percent scandium 0. 00 0.200.00 0.20 0. 00 0.20

41. 4 46. 8 29. 4 36. 7 .1 ll 32.8 37. 1 25. 5 31. 0 10 ll 25. 4 31.020.6 27. 3 10 8 19. 4 22. 0 15. J 20. 3 11 .J Essential alloyingelements (percent by weight). 2.3% copper, 1.5%

magnesium, 0.5% manganese 5 Percent scandium 0.00 0.15 0.00 0. 0.00 0.15

56. 8 58. 5 40. 2 52. 4 7 7 47. 4 40. 3 44. 2 46. 4 8 ti 28. 0 33. 2 20.2 31.1 8 J 14.3 15. 0 11.8 13.2 24 24 Essential alloying elements(percent by weight). 2.3% copper, 1.5%

magnesium, 1.0% 111111, 1.0% nickel 5 Percent scandium 0.00 0. 15 0.000. 15 0. 00 0. 15

Temp., C.:'

at temperature after 1,000 hours at the same 1 Properties determined 0.where time was usually greater than 1,000

l have determined that the above noted small amounts of scandium have amost profound effect on the recrystallization temperature of aluminum.and of aluminum alloy of the types herein described. For instance. acold worked aluminum ofa purity of 99.9 percent was found to have arecrystallization range which started at about 230 C. The additionof0.33 percent by weight of scandium to this aluminum. which was thencold worked as before, raised the start of the recrystallization to 450C. Substantially the same effect was noted in cold worked aluminumcontaining 5.25 percent magnesium as the essential alloying element, theaddition to this alloy of 0.3 per cent scandium raised the beginning ofrecrystallization from about 245 C. to about 450 C. Another example ofthis beneficial effect may be. noted in an aluminum alloy with l percentmanganese. Here the addition of about 0.33 percent of scandium raisedthe start of recrystallization of the cold worked alloy from about 385to about 470 C. A further alloy to which scandium imparts a higherrecrystallization temperature according to my invention is 7075 alloy.ln the above noted instances the start of recrystallization wasdetermined by X-ray diffraction methods ofa well-known type.

The scandium-containing alloys of my invention also in general exhibitan improved strength to conductivity ratio, that is have a higherstrength for a given conductivity, especially electrical conductoralloys such as EC alloy and 6l0l alloy containing scandium. For example,substantially pure aluminum containing 0.5 percent scandium has a 57percent greater tensile strength than standard EC alloy. with only an 8percent decrease in conductivity.

While the invention has been described in terms of preferredembodiments, the claims appended hereto are intended to encompass allembodiments which fall within the spirit ofthe invention.

Having thus described my invention and certain embodiments thereof, 1claim:

1. A method of improving the physical properties of metal selected fromthe class of aluminum and of aluminum alloy comprising the steps ofalloying a small amount of scandium with said metal and subsequentlyaging said metal at a temperature of from to 425 centigrade to produce ascandium enriched metal characterized by higher tensile and yieldstrengths than metal of the same composition but not containing saidscandium.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of subjectingsaid scandium enriched metal to cold work prior to the aging thereof.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of heating saidscandium enriched metal at a temperature in the range of 450 to 650centigrade substantially without incipient fusion prior to the agingthereof.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of heatingsaidscandium enriched metal for at least 15 minutes at a temperature in therange of 450 to 650 centigrade substantially without incipient fusionprior to the aging thereof.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein'said aluminum alloycomprises aluminum and at least one essential character forming elementselected from the group consisting of copper in amount of about 0.5 toabout 10 percent; magnesium in amount of about 0.5 to about 10 percent;zinc in amount of about 0.5 to about 10 percent; manganese in amount ofabout 0.15 to about 2.0 percent; beryllium in amount of about 0.001

to about 5.0 percent; lithium in amount of about 0.2 to 3.0

percent; iron in the amount of about 0.3 to about 2.0 percent andsilicon in amount of about 0.25 to about 15 percent.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said aluminum alloyfurther comprises at least one ancillary alloying element selected fromthe group consisting of nickel in amount of about 0.5 to about 2.5percent; chromium in amount of about 0.05 to about 0.4 percent; titaniumin amount of about 0.01 to about 0.15 percent; vanadium in amount ofabout 0.05 to about 0.25 percent; zirconium in amount of about 0.05 toabout 0.25 percent; boron in amount of about 0.0002 to about 0.04percent; bismuth in amount ofabout 0.4 to about 0.7 per- 7. The methodas set forth in claim 1 wherein said scandium is present in amounts offrom about 0.01 to about 5.0 percent by weight.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said scandium is presentin amounts of from about 0.1 to about 1.5 percent by weight.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said scandium is presentin amounts of from about 0.1 to 0.8 percent by weight.

10. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said aging is for atleast one-fourth hour.

11. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said aging is for from 1to 50 hours in duration.

12. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said aging is effected intwo stages with the temperature of the second stage being higher thanthat of the first of said two stages and with each of said two stagesbeing of from one-fourth to 25 hours in duration.

13. The method of raising the recrystallization temperature ofa metalselected from the group consisting of aluminum and of aluminum alloycontaining at least 85 percent of aluminum, said aluminum alloycontaining at least 85 percent of aluminum, said aluminum having thebasic characteristics essentially imparted by the presence in saidaluminum of at least one of the elements selected from the groupconsisting of copper in amount of about 0.5 to about 10 percent, zinc inamount of about 0.5 to about 10 percent, magnesium in amount of 0.5 toabout 10 percent, beryllium in amount of about 0.001 to about 5.0percent, lithium in amount of about 0.2 to about 3.0 percent, manganesein amount of about 0.15 to about 2.0 percent, iron in amount of about0.3 to about 2 percent and silicon in amount of about 0.25 to about 15percent, which method consists of alloying in said metal prior toworking of an amount of scandium within the range of about 0.01 to about5.0 percent by weight of the total metal, and

thereafter working said alloy.

14. The method of claim 13 characterized by the fact that the alloy alsocontains at least one element selected from the ancillary groupconsisting of the following elements in amounts within the indicatedrange ofpercent by weight of the total alloy:

Nickel :5 to 2.5 Chromium 0.05 to 0.4 Titanium 0.01 to 0.|5 Vanadium0.05 to 0.25 Zirconium 0.05 to 0.25 Boron 0.0002 to 0.04 Bismuth 0.4 to0.7 Lead 0.4 to 0.7 Cadmium 0.05 to 0.5

15. In a method of improving the physical properties of metal selectedfrom the class of aluminum and of aluminum alloy wherein the total ofsaid aluminum in said alloy constitutes at least 85 percent thereof byadding an alloying ele ment to said metal, the improvement consisting inalloying scandium with said metal in an amount of about 0.01 to about5.0 percent by weight and aging the resultant metal at a temperaturewithin a range of about 100 to about 425 centigrade, said metal beingcharacterized by higher tensile and yield strengths than metal of thesame composition but not containing said amount of scandium.

16. In a method of improving the physical properties of metal selectedfrom the class of aluminum and of aluminum alloy wherein the total ofsaid aluminum in said alloy constitutes at least 85 percent thereof, byadding an alloying element to said metal the improvement consisting inalloying scandium with said metal in an amount of about 0.01 to about5.0 percent by weight and aging the resultant metal at a tem peraturewithin a range of about 100 to about 425 centigrade for at leastone-fourth hour, said metal being characterized by,

higher tensile and yield strengths than metal of the same compositionbut not containing said amount of scandium.

17. In the method of improving the physical properties of metal selectedfrom the class of aluminum and of aluminum alloy wherein the total ofsaid aluminum in said alloy constitutes at least percent thereof byadding an alloying element to said metal. the improvement consisting inalloying at least 0.01 percent scandium with said metal and aging theresultant metal at a temperature within a range of about to about 425centigrade, said metal being characterized by higher tensile and yieldstrengths than metal of the same composition but not subjected to saidaging treatment.

18. In the method of improving the physical properties of metal selectedfrom the class of aluminum and of aluminum alloy wherein the total ofsaid aluminum and of aluminum alloy wherein the total of said aluminumin said alloy constitutes at least 85 percent thereof by adding analloying element to said metal, the improvement consisting in alloyingat least 0.01 percent scandium with said metal and aging the resultantmetal at a temperature within a range of about 100 to about 425centigrade for periods of from one-fourth hour to 50 hours, said metalbeing characterized by higher tensile and yield strengths than metal ofthe same composition but not subjected to said aging treatment.

19. Aluminum base alloy containing at least about 85 percent aluminumbase material, about 0.01 to about 5.0 percent by weight of scandium andat least one element selected from the group consisting of zinc,beryllium, lithium, magnesium, and manganese, in total amount up to 15percent, the zinc being from about 0.5 to about 10 percent, theberyllium being from about 0.001 to about 5 percent, the lithium beingfrom about 0.2 to about 3 percent, the magnesium being from about 0.5 toabout 10 percent, and the manganese being from about 0.15 to about 2.0percent, said aluminum base alloy having the basic alloy characteristicsessentially imparted thereto by the presence in said aluminum basematerial of said selected elements and being characterized by highertensile and yield strengths than aluminum base alloys of the samecomposition but not including said amount ofscandium.

20. The alloys ofclaim 19 characterized by the fact that the scandiumcontent thereof is in the range of about 0.1 to about 1.5 percent byweight.

21. The alloys of claim 19 characterized by the fact that the scandiumcontent thereofis in the range of about 0.1 to about 0.8 percent byweight.

22. Cold worked aluminum alloys containing about 0.01 to about 5.0percent by weight of scandium, said alloys deriving their basiccharacteristics from the presence therein of at least one elementselected from the group consisting of copper, zinc, magnesium,manganese, beryllium, iron and silicon, said alloys also containing asadditives at least one element selected from an ancillary groupconsisting of nickel, chromium, titanium, vanadium, iron, zirconium,boron, silicon, cadmium, lithium, bismuth and lead, the aluminum contentinclusive of impurities of the alloy being at least 85 percent by weightand the character forming elements and ancillary elements when selectedand present forming a percent by weight portion within the approximaterange of:

Copper 0.5 to 10 Zinc 0.5 to 10 Manganese 0.15 to 2 Magnesium 0.5 to 10Nickel 0.510 2.5 Chromium 0.05 to 0.4 Titanium 0.01 to 0.15 Vanadium0.05 to 0.25 Zirconium 0.05 to 0.25 Boron 0.0002 to 0.04 Lithium 0.2 to3.0 Bismuth 0.4 to 0.7 Lead 04 to 0.7 Cadmium 0.05 to 0.5 Beryllium0.001 to 5.0 Silicon 0.25 to 15.0 Iron 0.3 to 2.0

the said alloys being further characterized by higher physicalproperties than similarly cold worked alloys of similar compositionwhich are free ofsaid scandium.

23. The alloys of claim 22 characterized by the fact that the scandiumcontent thereof is in the range of about 0.1 to about 1.5 percent byweight.

24. The alloys of claim 22 characterized by the fact that the scandiumcontent thereof is in the range ofabout 0.1 to about 0.8 percent byweight.

25. Aluminum base alloy containing at least about 85 percent aluminumbase metal, about 0.01 to about 5.0 percent by weight ofscandium and atleast one ancillary element selected from the group consisting ofchromium, nickel, boron, lead, cadmium, lithium and bismuth, thechromium being from about 0.05 to about 0.4 percent, the nickel fromabout 0.5 to about 2.5 percent. the boron from about 0.0002 to 0.04 percent, the lead from about 0.4 to about 0.7 percent, the cadmi um fromabout 0.05 to about 0.5 percent, the lithium from about 0.2 to about 3percent and the bismuth from about 0.4 to about 0.7 percent.

26. Aluminum alloys containing about 0.01 to about 5.0

percent by weight ofscandium, said alloys deriving their basiccharacteristics from the presence therein of at least one elementselected from the group consisting of zinc, magnesium, manganese, andberyllium, said alloys also containing as additives at least one elementselected from an ancillary group consisting of nickel, chromium, boron,cadmium, lithium, bismuth and lead, the aluminum content inclusive ofimpurities of the alloys being at least 85 percent by weight and thecharacter forming elements and ancillary elements when selected andpresent forming a percent by weight portion within the approximate rangeof:

Zinc 0.5 to 10 Manganese 0.15 to 2 Magnesium 05 to Nickel 0.5 to 2.5Chromium 0.05 to 0.4 Boron 0,0002 to 0.04 Lithium 0.2 to 3.0 Bismuth0.41007 Lead 0.4 to 0.7 Cadmium (1.05 to 0.5 Beryllium 0.001 to 5.0

the said alloys being further characterized by higher physicalproperties than alloys of similar composition which are free of saidscandium.

27. Aged aluminum or aluminum alloy containing at least about 85 percentaluminum and with the remainder constituted, at least in part, byscandium in an amount greater than 0.01 percent and characterized byhigher tensile and yield strengths imparted thereto by aging attemperatures in the range of 100 to 425 centigrade than metal of thesame composition but not exposed to such temperatures.

28. The product of claim 27 further characterized by higher tensile andyield strengths after prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures thanaluminum and aluminum alloys of the same composition but not containingsaid amount of scandium after the same prolonged exposure to elevatedtemperatures.

29. The product of claim 27, further characterized by higher tensile andyield strengths after exposure at at least 149 C. for at least 1,000hours than aluminum and aluminum alloys of the same composition but notcontaining said amount of scandium after exposure at the same at least149 C. for the same at least 1,000 hours.

30. Age hardened aluminum alloys containing about 0.01 to about 5.0percent by weight of scandium, said alloys deriving their basiccharacteristics from the presence therein of at least one elementselected from the essential group consisting of copper, zinc, beryllium,magnesium, iron, silicon and man ganese, said alloys also containing asadditives at least one element selected from an ancillary groupconsisting of nickel, chromium, titanium, vanadium, zirconium, boron,iron, silicon, cadmium, lithium, bismuth and lead, the aluminum contentinclusive of impurities of the alloy being at least percent by weightand the essential elements and ancillary elements when selected andpresent forming a percent by weight portion within the approximate rangeof:

Copper 05 to 10 Zinc 0 5 to It) Manganese 0. I5 to 2 Magnesium 05 w 10Nickel 0.51025 Chromium 0.05 to 0.4 Titanium 0 01 lo 0.15 Vanadium (1.05to 0.25 llrconium (105 [(111.25 Boron 0.0002 to 0.04 Lithium 0.2 to 3Bismuth 04:110.? Lead 0 4 to (1.7 Cadmium 0 05 to 0.5

Beryllium 0.00I to 5.0 Silicon 0.25 to 15 Iron (1.3 In 2.0

the said alloys being further characterized by higher physicalproperties than similarly age hardened alloys of similar compositionwhich are free of said scandium.

31. Aged aluminum or aluminum alloy containing at least about 85 percentaluminum and with the remainder constituted, at least in part, byscandium in an amount greater than 0.01 percent and characterized byhigher tensile and yield strengths imparted thereto by aging attemperatures in the range of to 425 centigrade for at least one-fourthhour than metal of the same composition but not exposed to suchtemperatures.

32. Aged aluminum base alloy containing at least about 85 percentaluminum base metal, about 0.01 to about 5.0 percent by weight ofscandium and having the basic alloy characteristics essentially impartedthereto by the presence in said aluminum base metal of at least oneelement selected from the group consisting of copper, zinc, beryllium,lithium, magnesium, manganese, iron and silicon in total amount up to 15percent, the copper being from about 0.5 to about 10 percent, the zincbeing from about 0.5 to about 10 percent, the beryllium being from about0.001 to about 5 percent, the lithium being from about 0.2 to about 3percent, the magnesium being from about 0.5 to about 10 percent, and themanganese being from about 0.15 to about 2.0 percent, the iron beingfrom about 0.3 to about 2 percent and the silicon being from about 0.25to about 15 percent, said aged aluminum base alloy being characterizedby higher tensile and yield strengths than aged aluminum base alloys ofthe same composition but not including said amount ofscandium.

33. Aged aluminum and aluminum alloy containing from about 0.01 to about5.0 percent by weight of scandium which has been aged by exposure totemperatures of at least 100 C.

and characterized by higher tensile and yield strengths than agedaluminum and aluminum alloy of the same composition but not containingsaid amount of scandium.

34. Aged aluminum and aluminum alloys containing from about 0.01 toabout 5.0 percent by weight of scandium which has been aged at atemperature within the range of about 100 to 425 centigrade andcharacterized by higher tensile and yield strengths than aged aluminumand aluminum alloys of the same composition but not containing saidamount of scandium.

35. Aged aluminum and aluminum alloys containing from about 0.01 toabout 5.0 percent by weight of scandium which has been aged for at leasta one-fourth hour at a temperature within the range of about 100 100 to425 centigrade and characterized by higher tensile and yield strengthsthan aged aluminum and aluminum alloys of the same composition but notcontaining said amount of scandium.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of subjectingsaid scandium enriched metal to cold work prior to the aging thereof. 3.The method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of heating saidscandium enriched metal at a temperature in the range of 450* to 650*centigrade substantially without incipient fusion prior to the agingthereof.
 4. The method as set forth in claim 1 including the step ofheating said scandium enriched metal for at least 15 minutes at atemperature in the range of 450* to 650* centigrade substantiallywithout incipient fusion prior to the aging thereof.
 5. The method asset forth in claim 1 wherein said aluminum alloy comprises aluminum andat least one essential character forming element selected from the groupconsisting of copper in amount of about 0.5 to about 10 percent;magnesium in amount of about 0.5 to about 10 percent; zinc in amount ofabout 0.5 to about 10 percent; manganese in amouNt of about 0.15 toabout 2.0 percent; beryllium in amount of about 0.001 to about 5.0percent; lithium in amount of about 0.2 to 3.0 percent; iron in theamount of about 0.3 to about 2.0 percent and silicon in amount of about0.25 to about 15 percent.
 6. The method as set forth in claim 5 whereinsaid aluminum alloy further comprises at least one ancillary alloyingelement selected from the group consisting of nickel in amount of about0.5 to about 2.5 percent; chromium in amount of about 0.05 to about 0.4percent; titanium in amount of about 0.01 to about 0.15 percent;vanadium in amount of about 0.05 to about 0.25 percent; zirconium inamount of about 0.05 to about 0.25 percent; boron in amount of about0.0002 to about 0.04 percent; bismuth in amount of about 0.4 to about0.7 percent; lead in amount of about 0.4 to about 0.7 percent andcadmium in amount of about 0.05 to about 0.5 percent.
 7. The method asset forth in claim 1 wherein said scandium is present in amounts of fromabout 0.01 to about 5.0 percent by weight.
 8. The method as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said scandium is present in amounts of from about 0.1 toabout 1.5 percent by weight.
 9. The method as set forth in claim 1wherein said scandium is present in amounts of from about 0.1 to 0.8percent by weight.
 10. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidaging is for at least one-fourth hour.
 11. The method as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said aging is for from 1 to 50 hours in duration. 12.The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said aging is effected in twostages with the temperature of the second stage being higher than thatof the first of said two stages and with each of said two stages beingof from one-fourth to 25 hours in duration.
 13. The method of raisingthe recrystallization temperature of a metal selected from the groupconsisting of aluminum and of aluminum alloy containing at least 85percent of aluminum, said aluminum alloy containing at least 85 percentof aluminum, said aluminum having the basic characteristics essentiallyimparted by the presence in said aluminum of at least one of theelements selected from the group consisting of copper in amount of about0.5 to about 10 percent, zinc in amount of about 0.5 to about 10percent, magnesium in amount of 0.5 to about 10 percent, beryllium inamount of about 0.001 to about 5.0 percent, lithium in amount of about0.2 to about 3.0 percent, manganese in amount of about 0.15 to about 2.0percent, iron in amount of about 0.3 to about 2 percent and silicon inamount of about 0.25 to about 15 percent, which method consists ofalloying in said metal prior to working of an amount of scandium withinthe range of about 0.01 to about 5.0 percent by weight of the totalmetal, and thereafter working said alloy.
 14. The method of claim 13characterized by the fact that the alloy also contains at least oneelement selected from the ancillary group consisting of the followingelements in amounts within the indicated range of percent by weight ofthe total alloy: Nickel 0.5 to 2.5 Chromium 0.05 to 0.4 Titanium 0.01 to0.15 Vanadium 0.05 to 0.25 Zirconium 0.05 to 0.25 Boron 0.0002 to 0.04Bismuth 0.4 to 0.7 Lead 0.4 to 0.7 Cadmium 0.05 to 0.5
 15. In a methodof improving the physical properties of metal sElected from the class ofaluminum and of aluminum alloy wherein the total of said aluminum insaid alloy constitutes at least 85 percent thereof by adding an alloyingelement to said metal, the improvement consisting in alloying scandiumwith said metal in an amount of about 0.01 to about 5.0 percent byweight and aging the resultant metal at a temperature within a range ofabout 100* to about 425* centigrade, said metal being characterized byhigher tensile and yield strengths than metal of the same compositionbut not containing said amount of scandium.
 16. In a method of improvingthe physical properties of metal selected from the class of aluminum andof aluminum alloy wherein the total of said aluminum in said alloyconstitutes at least 85 percent thereof, by adding an alloying elementto said metal the improvement consisting in alloying scandium with saidmetal in an amount of about 0.01 to about 5.0 percent by weight andaging the resultant metal at a temperature within a range of about 100*to about 425* centigrade for at least one-fourth hour, said metal beingcharacterized by higher tensile and yield strengths than metal of thesame composition but not containing said amount of scandium.
 17. In themethod of improving the physical properties of metal selected from theclass of aluminum and of aluminum alloy wherein the total of saidaluminum in said alloy constitutes at least 85 percent thereof by addingan alloying element to said metal, the improvement consisting inalloying at least 0.01 percent scandium with said metal and aging theresultant metal at a temperature within a range of about 100* to about425* centigrade, said metal being characterized by higher tensile andyield strengths than metal of the same composition but not subjected tosaid aging treatment.
 18. In the method of improving the physicalproperties of metal selected from the class of aluminum and of aluminumalloy wherein the total of said aluminum and of aluminum alloy whereinthe total of said aluminum in said alloy constitutes at least 85 percentthereof by adding an alloying element to said metal, the improvementconsisting in alloying at least 0.01 percent scandium with said metaland aging the resultant metal at a temperature within a range of about100* to about 425* centigrade for periods of from one-fourth hour to 50hours, said metal being characterized by higher tensile and yieldstrengths than metal of the same composition but not subjected to saidaging treatment.
 19. Aluminum base alloy containing at least about 85percent aluminum base material, about 0.01 to about 5.0 percent byweight of scandium and at least one element selected from the groupconsisting of zinc, beryllium, lithium, magnesium, and manganese, intotal amount up to 15 percent, the zinc being from about 0.5 to about 10percent, the beryllium being from about 0.001 to about 5 percent, thelithium being from about 0.2 to about 3 percent, the magnesium beingfrom about 0.5 to about 10 percent, and the manganese being from about0.15 to about 2.0 percent, said aluminum base alloy having the basicalloy characteristics essentially imparted thereto by the presence insaid aluminum base material of said selected elements and beingcharacterized by higher tensile and yield strengths than aluminum basealloys of the same composition but not including said amount ofscandium.
 20. The alloys of claim 19 characterized by the fact that thescandium content thereof is in the range of about 0.1 to about 1.5percent by weight.
 21. The alloys of claim 19 characterized by the factthat the scandium content thereof is in the range of about 0.1 to about0.8 percent by weight.
 22. Cold worked aluminum alloys containing about0.01 to about 5.0 percent by weight of scandium, said alloys derivingtheir basic characteristics from the presence therein of at least oneelement selected from the group consisting of copper, zinc, magnesium,manganese, beryllium, iron and silicon, said alloys also containing asadditives at least one element selected from an ancillary groupconsisting of nickel, chromium, titanium, vanadium, iron, zirconium,boron, silicon, cadmium, lithium, bismuth and lead, the aluminum contentinclusive of impurities of the alloy being at least 85 percent by weightand the character forming elements and ancillary elements when selectedand present forming a percent by weight portion within the approximaterange of: Copper 0.5 to 10 Zinc 0.5 to 10 Manganese 0.15 to 2 Magnesium0.5 to 10 Nickel 0.5 to 2.5 Chromium 0.05 to 0.4 Titanium 0.01 to 0.15Vanadium 0.05 to 0.25 Zirconium 0.05 to 0.25 Boron 0.0002 to 0.04Lithium 0.2 to 3.0 Bismuth 0.4 to 0.7 Lead 0.4 to 0.7 Cadmium 0.05 to0.5 Beryllium 0.001 to 5.0 Silicon 0.25 to 15.0 Iron 0.3 to 2.0 the saidalloys being further characterized by higher physical properties thansimilarly cold worked alloys of similar composition which are free ofsaid scandium.
 23. The alloys of claim 22 characterized by the fact thatthe scandium content thereof is in the range of about 0.1 to about 1.5percent by weight.
 24. The alloys of claim 22 characterized by the factthat the scandium content thereof is in the range of about 0.1 to about0.8 percent by weight.
 25. Aluminum base alloy containing at least about85 percent aluminum base metal, about 0.01 to about 5.0 percent byweight of scandium and at least one ancillary element selected from thegroup consisting of chromium, nickel, boron, lead, cadmium, lithium andbismuth, the chromium being from about 0.05 to about 0.4 percent, thenickel from about 0.5 to about 2.5 percent, the boron from about 0.0002to 0.04 percent, the lead from about 0.4 to about 0.7 percent, thecadmium from about 0.05 to about 0.5 percent, the lithium from about 0.2to about 3 percent and the bismuth from about 0.4 to about 0.7 percent.26. Aluminum alloys containing about 0.01 to about 5.0 percent by weightof scandium, said alloys deriving their basic characteristics from thepresence therein of at least one element selected from the groupconsisting of zinc, magnesium, manganese, and beryllium, said alloysalso containing as additives at least one element selected from anancillary group consisting of nickel, chromium, boron, cadmium, lithium,bismuth and lead, the aluminum content inclusive of impurities of thealloys being at least 85 percent by weight and the character formingelements and ancillary elements when selected and present forming apercent by weight portion within the approximate range of: Zinc 0.5 to10Manganese 0.15 to 2Magnesium 0.5 to 10Nickel 0.5 to 2.5Chromium 0.05to 0.4Boron 0.0002 to 0.04Lithium 0.2 to 3.0Bismuth 0.4 to 0.7Lead 0.4to 0.7Cadmium 0.05 to 0.5Beryllium 0.001 to 5.0 the said alloys beingfurther characterized by higher physical properties than alloys ofsimilar composition which are free of said scandium.
 27. Aged aluminumor aluminum alloy containing at least about 85 percent aluminum and withthe remainder constituted, at least in part, by scandium in an amountgreater than 0.01 percent and characterized by higher tensile and yieldstrengths imparted thereto by aging at temperatures in the range of 100*to 425* centigrade than metal of the same composition but not exposed tosuch temperatures.
 28. The product of claim 27 further characterized byhigher tensile and yield strengths after prolonged exposure to elevatedtemperatures than aluminum and aluminum alloys of the same compositionbut not containing said amount of scandium after the same prolongedexposure to elevated temperatures.
 29. The product of claim 27, furthercharacterized by higher tensile and yield strengths after exposure at atleast 149* C. for at least 1,000 hours than aluminum and aluminum alloysof the same composition but not containing said amount of scandium afterexposure at the same at least 149* C. for the same at least 1,000 hours.30. Age hardened aluminum alloys containing about 0.01 to about 5.0percent by weight of scandium, said alloys deriving their basiccharacteristics from the presence therein of at least one elementselected from the essential group consisting of copper, zinc, beryllium,magnesium, iron, silicon and manganese, said alloys also containing asadditives at least one element selected from an ancillary groupconsisting of nickel, chromium, titanium, vanadium, zirconium, boron,iron, silicon, cadmium, lithium, bismuth and lead, the aluminum contentinclusive of impurities of the alloy being at least 85 percent by weightand the essential elements and ancillary elements when selected andpresent forming a percent by weight portion within the approximate rangeof: Copper 0.5 to 10 Zinc 0.5 to 10 Manganese 0.15 to 2 Magnesium 0.5 to10 Nickel 0.5 to 2.5 Chromium 0.05 to 0.4 Titanium 0.01 to 0.15 Vanadium0.05 to 0.25 Zirconium 0.05 to 0.25 Boron 0.0002 to 0.04 Lithium 0.2 to3 Bismuth 0.4 to 0.7Lead 0.4 to 0.7Cadmium 0.05 to 0.5 Beryllium 0.001to 5.0 Silicon 0.25 to 15 Iron 0.3 to 2.0 the said alloys being furthercharacterized by higher physical properties than similarly age hardenedalloys of similar composition which are free of said scandium.
 31. Agedaluminum or aluminum alloy containing at least about 85 peRcent aluminumand with the remainder constituted, at least in part, by scandium in anamount greater than 0.01 percent and characterized by higher tensile andyield strengths imparted thereto by aging at temperatures in the rangeof 100* to 425* centigrade for at least one-fourth hour than metal ofthe same composition but not exposed to such temperatures.
 32. Agedaluminum base alloy containing at least about 85 percent aluminum basemetal, about 0.01 to about 5.0 percent by weight of scandium and havingthe basic alloy characteristics essentially imparted thereto by thepresence in said aluminum base metal of at least one element selectedfrom the group consisting of copper, zinc, beryllium, lithium,magnesium, manganese, iron and silicon in total amount up to 15 percent,the copper being from about 0.5 to about 10 percent, the zinc being fromabout 0.5 to about 10 percent, the beryllium being from about 0.001 toabout 5 percent, the lithium being from about 0.2 to about 3 percent,the magnesium being from about 0.5 to about 10 percent, and themanganese being from about 0.15 to about 2.0 percent, the iron beingfrom about 0.3 to about 2 percent and the silicon being from about 0.25to about 15 percent, said aged aluminum base alloy being characterizedby higher tensile and yield strengths than aged aluminum base alloys ofthe same composition but not including said amount of scandium.
 33. Agedaluminum and aluminum alloy containing from about 0.01 to about 5.0percent by weight of scandium which has been aged by exposure totemperatures of at least 100* C. and characterized by higher tensile andyield strengths than aged aluminum and aluminum alloy of the samecomposition but not containing said amount of scandium.
 34. Agedaluminum and aluminum alloys containing from about 0.01 to about 5.0percent by weight of scandium which has been aged at a temperaturewithin the range of about 100* to 425* centigrade and characterized byhigher tensile and yield strengths than aged aluminum and aluminumalloys of the same composition but not containing said amount ofscandium.
 35. Aged aluminum and aluminum alloys containing from about0.01 to about 5.0 percent by weight of scandium which has been aged forat least a one-fourth hour at a temperature within the range of about100* 100* to 425* centigrade and characterized by higher tensile andyield strengths than aged aluminum and aluminum alloys of the samecomposition but not containing said amount of scandium.